Overview

• China Anne McClain faced criticism after posting a now-deleted video of herself touching a resting sea turtle in Maui, Hawaii, filmed two years ago.
• Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged McClain to learn about local laws protecting marine life and called on her to delete the video, which she promptly did.
• McClain apologized, stating she was unaware of the laws and emphasized her respect for Hawaiian culture and wildlife.
• The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources clarified that touching turtles is not automatically illegal unless it harms the animal or alters its behavior.
• The incident has sparked discussions on respecting wildlife guidelines, with experts warning against direct contact with sea turtles to avoid disturbance or disease transmission.